Sabalenka Made To Work

Top seed pushed all the way by German veteran Siegemund to advance to last 4

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LONDON - Aryna Sabalenka was dragged into a bygone era on July 8 and tormented for almost three hours on Wimbledon's Centre Court, before finally imposing her 21st-century power game to beat mesmeric Laura Siegemund for a place in the semi-finals.

The Belarusian needed all her powers of ball bludgeoning and belief to emerge from a befuddling battle, somehow the victor 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.

"I need some time to cool down and recover. She pushed me so much," said Sabalenka. "After the first set, I was looking at my box like... 'Guys, book the tickets. We're about to leave this beautiful city'.

"She's really making everyone work against her. Going into the match against her, you know you have to work for every point. Doesn't matter if you're a big server or hitter. You have to work.

"I was trying to focus on myself and make sure I don't give her that energy. I didn't want her to see that I was annoyed by her. Even if I was a little bit at some points."

For much of the spellbinding contest, it looked as though the world No. 1 would find no answers to Siegemund's sorcery as the 37-year-old German veteran chipped and chopped the world's best player to pieces, leaving the top seed's power game neutered on the turf.